Zionism is a multifaced ideology, which has its reaches in many unexpected places. Just as Zionism has found a comfortable home in Protestantism, often summarized as “Judeo-Christian,’ or “Christian Zionism”—likewise, it has found fertile ground in Hinduism of today’s India (which is a far-cry from the Hinduism of the past).
But first, a quick primer on Zionism, since it is always good to be clear in one’s terminology. Zionism is characterized by several key elements:
Zionism is fundamentally a Jewish nationalist movement that seeks to establish and maintain a Jewish national state in the supposed ancestral homeland of the Jewish people, which is considered to be Israel/Palestine. It emphasizes the right of the Jewish people to self-determination, advocating for a state where Jews can ensure their rights, beliefs, and security are protected. Zionism draws on historical and biblical connections, tracing Jewish nationhood back to the kingdoms of David and Solomon.
Zionism encompasses a political approach that is both racial and nationalist. It sees the occupation of Palestine as a fulfillment of Zionism and biblical prophecies, thus supporting the expansion of settlements and maintaining control over the West Bank. Settlements are the surest way to exert Jewish control and sovereignty over the land.
Following the conflict with Hamas, which began in earnest on October 7th, 2023, Israel barred tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from entering the country, leading to a significant labor shortage. To address this issue, Israel turned to Indian workers, who are now replacing Palestinian laborers largely in the construction industry.
Around 16,000 Indian workers have joined Israel’s construction sector over the past year, replacing Palestinian workers who were previously a major part of the workforce. Indian workers are attracted by wages that are often three times higher than those in India, making it a lucrative opportunity for them.
The influx of Indian workers is part of a broader bilateral agreement between India and Israel, aimed at strengthening economic ties and addressing Israel’s labor shortage. Indian workers in Israel are provided with proper lodging, medical insurance, and social security coverage, similar to Israeli citizens.
Currently, India is in the grips of Hindu nationalism, known as “Hindutva” (literally, “Hindu-ness”), which was an ideology fabricated in the 1920s and modeled on fascism. Hindutva seeks to protect the Hindu race, the Hindu civilization, and the Hindu nation. It does this by hating Muslims, and then Christians. One such method of “protection” is commonly known as “cow vigilantism,” whereby Hindu mobs beat up and even murder Muslims and Christians, who are routinely accused of killing a cow (both communities eat beef). So, it is perfectly acceptable to kill a non-Hindu in order to protect a cow. It should be noted that in most Indian states it is illegal to slaughter a cow (in modern Hinduism, cows are sacred animals).
It is this hatred of Muslims that finds common ground in Zionism for Hindu nationalists. But there are also deeper connections, which have been invented, and used to build allegiance.
Both Hindutva and Zionism are rooted in ethno-nationalist ideologies, emphasizing the importance of race, territory, and nativism. Hindutva seeks to establish a Hindu-dominated state in India, while Zionism aims to create a Jewish state in Israel.
Both ideologies have a strong attachment to a perceived homeland. For Zionism, this is the historical land of Israel, while for Hindutva, it is the idea of a unified Hindu India (Akhand Bharat), which extends all the way up to Afghanistan, and even parts of Central Asia.
Zionism seeks to establish a Greater Israel, while Hindutva advocates for a broader Hindu Rashtra, or nation, which involves re-converting non-Hindu Indians back to Hinduism.
Both ideologies are deeply Islamophobic and practice exclusionary practices. Hindutva often targets Muslims in India, and vaunt the caste system (the division of Aryan from the non-Aryan), while Zionism hates Palestinians and is currently carrying out a genocide against them.
Both Hindutva and Zionism have been influenced by European fascist movements. Hindutva leaders admired certain aspects of fascist ideologies, while Zionism emerged from European nativism which led to fascism.
Both ideologies have politicized their respective religions, using them to justify nationalist claims. This politicization often leads to accusations of Hinduphobia or anti-Semitism when criticized.
In recent years, there has been increased political and military collaboration between India and Israel, reflecting the ideological affinity between Hindutva and Zionism. This includes joint military exercises and strategic partnerships.
Overall, the connection between Hindutva and Zionism is characterized by shared ethno-nationalist ideologies, a strong emphasis on territorial claims, and exclusionary practices towards minority groups.
For example, after the October 7th attack by Hamas, so many Hindu nationalists volunteered to join the IDF that they could formed an entire unit. Such is the hatred for Muslims among such types of Hindus.
Hindutva justifies its ideology by way of anti-Muslim narratives. These narratives often involve conspiracy theories, historical revisionism, and divisive rhetoric. For example, there is the “Love Jihad” narrative, which claims that Muslim men are conspiring to marry, kidnap, and forcefully convert Hindu women to Islam, aiming to demographically shift India from a Hindu-majority to a Muslim-majority state.
Then, there is “Hindus in Danger” or “Demographic Replacement” narrative, which says that Muslims are rapidly increasing in population and will soon outnumber Hindus, threatening their dominance in India. Despite demographic evidence to the contrary, this theory fuels endless fear and animosity towards Muslims.
There is also “Land Jihad” and “Grooming Jihad,” both of which are variations of the “love jihad” narrative, where Muslims are accused of acquiring land or grooming children for conversion to Islam. These claims are often used to demonize Muslims and justify vigilante actions.
There is even “Corona Jihad” which says that Muslims were intentionally spreading the virus to harm Hindus. This narrative was used to incite violence and discrimination against Muslims.
Further, there is the extensive rewriting of history, in which the BJP government of Modi is the chief perpetrator. Thus, the BJP has rewritten textbooks to minimize the contributions of Muslim figures in Indian history, and to demonize Muslim rulers like those of the Mughal Empire. Textbooks are routinely altered to depict communities other than Hindus as foreigners in India, reinforcing a majoritarian view of society. In the US, Hindu nationalists have sought to remove references to practices like the caste system and untouchability from history textbooks. Any reference to Hindu-Muslim unity is removed, while all past historical Hindu figures are portrayed as carrying out Hindutva ideology (such as establishing a Hindu Rashtra, or nation).
Then, there is Hindutva pop music, which portrays Muslims as disloyal and advocating for their exclusion. These songs frequently reference Pakistan, suggesting that Muslims should leave India for the neighboring Muslim-majority country. Needless to say all this Islamophobia is rapidly spread through social media.
Ideologies always look for kinship, and so Hindutva proponents hold Israel as a model for the ethno-nationalist state, while Israel’s exclusionist policies towards Palestinians affirms their own anti-Muslim hatred.
The Israeli model of a strong military state and muscular state policies has also appealed to Hindu nationalists, who seek to emulate these strategies in India. This shared perception fuels their support for Israel’s actions, which they see as a model for handling what they consider to be similar challenges in India. Hindutva supporters admire Israel’s military prowess and its ability to assert dominance over its adversaries. They see this as a model for India’s own military and strategic policies, particularly in dealing with Muslim-majority countries or regions.
Hindutva supporters generally view the Israeli treatment of Palestinians through a lens of admiration and ideological alignment. They often justify or downplay Israel’s actions against Palestinians by framing them as necessary measures against perceived threats, similar to how they perceive Muslims in India.
Hindutva supporters see parallels between Israel’s conflict with Palestinians and their own perceived threats from Muslims in India. Both are viewed as external or internal enemies that need to be dealt with firmly and defeated.
Hindutva supporters actively spread disinformation about Palestinians to justify Israeli actions. This includes false claims of atrocities committed by Palestinians, which are used to bolster support for Israel’s military atrocities.
Such disinformation campaigns are part of a broader strategy to demonize Muslims and reinforce Islamophobic narratives both domestically and internationally.
Given this linkage, Israel’s investment in India is significant, particularly in high-tech domains, agriculture, and water technologies. For example, there are over 300 investments from Israel in India, covering various sectors such as high-tech, agriculture, water technologies, and more.
Israeli companies have shown growing interest in sectors like renewable energy, homeland security, aerospace, defense, health, and real estate, in addition to traditional areas such as agriculture, cyber, and chemicals.
These investments include manufacturing plants, R&D centers, subsidiaries, joint ventures, and technology partnerships, often aligned with India’s “Make in India” initiative.
And India too has invested heavily in Israel. In 2022, a consortium led by India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) acquired the rights to operate the Haifa Port Company Ltd from the Government of Israel, marking a significant investment of US$ 1.18 billion.
There is also a growing emphasis on technological collaboration, including AI, digital transformation, and smart manufacturing, leveraging Israel’s technological expertise and India’s digital infrastructure.
Israeli investments have increased in renewable energy, water technology, defense, and manufacturing sectors, while Indian companies have made significant inroads into Israel in pharmaceuticals, IT, and infrastructure.
India and Israel aim to increase bilateral trade tenfold over the next 12 to 13 years, focusing on sectors like technology and renewable energy. Efforts are underway to finalize a free trade agreement between the two countries, which could further boost trade and investment. Israel is developing protocols to enhance Indian participation in infrastructure tenders, and there are plans to sign a mutual investment agreement to facilitate smoother trade and investment flows.
Of course, the Mossad had long been involved in India.
The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s foreign intelligence agency, was established in 1968 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. RAW was encouraged to liaise with Mossad to counterbalance Pakistan-China military ties.
In the early 1980s, Indian commandos received specialized training from Mossad, even before India and Israel had formal diplomatic relations. This training was facilitated by RAW4.
There have been instances of intelligence sharing and cooperation, such as during the early 1990s when Mossad intervened to secure the release of an Israeli tourist kidnapped in Kashmir.
In recent years, India has adopted Israeli security approaches, including the use of Israeli technology for surveillance and defense. This includes the creation of commando units trained by Israeli experts and the implementation of mass surveillance systems like the Central Monitoring System (CMS).
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has strengthened its strategic partnership with Israel, particularly in defense manufacturing and technology. Israeli firms have played a significant role in India’s security infrastructure, including in Kashmir. And Israel intelligence works in India to counter any threat from Pakistan. Needless to say, Iran is also right next door.
By the way, it is the Mossad which provides protection for Modi during his international visits.
Many of the weapons used by the IDF to kill Palestinians are supplied by India. Its Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, has defended these exports by citing “national interest” and a strong record of cooperation in national security with Israel.
Thus, India supplies rockets and explosives to Israel, as well as advanced drones, including the Hermes 900, which are co-produced with Israeli companies. Additionally, the Arbel AI weapons system, co-developed by an Indian firm, is being used in Gaza to kill Palestinians.
The export of weapons to Israel during the Gaza conflict has raised concerns about potential violations of international law. Protests and calls for inspections have occurred in countries where these shipments have been detected. India’s Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation seeking to halt arms exports to Israel, indicating that the government’s stance remains firm on this issue.
Zionist Hinduism is now a fundamental part of modern Hindutva identity, and it will only grow stronger.
